As we approach the many holidays of the season, from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah, Christmas to Kwanzaa, there is much to cherish and consider, such as how to spend the holidays this particular year. 

Things will continue to look a bit different than other years, but we’ll also continue to be creative and make the most of our time and traditions. In fact, changes to how we do the holidays this year are an opportunity to make them even more special! While it’s important to follow health guidelines and recommendations, as well as respect the individual needs of family and friends, it’s also important to celebrate these final months of the year and make some much needed holiday cheer! 

So, we’re here to tell you that the holidays are most definitely on! Not sure how to celebrate them or just want to read what others are doing? Here are some ideas!

Lots of fresh air

Even though the weather has cooled in many areas, there are still lots of ways to enjoy the outdoors and use it as a venue for your holiday celebrations.

Perhaps you and your extended family can’t all gather indoors together, so make the Christmas tree hunt this year a bigger event than usual. Coordinate a trip to the local Christmas tree farm, complete with blankets, thermoses of cocoa and cider, and sweet treats. After you’ve picked out the perfect tree, throw on one of the car radios and have a tailgate holiday gathering. (Consider hiring one of our local photographers to capture your cheerful group, complete with smiles and rosy cheeks!)

If your home can accommodate it or you live in a more temperate area, you can host the annual holiday gathering in your backyard, making use of barbecue pits and pizza ovens. Or pick a favorite restaurant and reserve early. After all, they need our support more than ever and they’ve all stocked up on all those outdoor heaters!

At the very least, use the outdoors and nature as a means to meet up with friends and family. It can be as simple as grabbing a seasonal coffee drink and strolling through the park, or as elaborate as a coordinated family trip to a skiing resort! The point is to capitalize on the fresh air, connect with nature during the winter months, and ensure the meaning of the holidays lives on with cherished friends and family.

Overcoming the distance

If you always dreaded that long holiday trek to family gatherings or having to venture out in bad weather to parties, you might revel in the change of plans this year. But you still want to share the holidays with friends and family, right? No problem!

Virtual gatherings have become a way of life, and while they don’t include the warmth of hugs and physical nearness, they have taught us an important lesson: it’s actually way easier to keep in touch than we thought. We don’t have to wait until the annual gettogether or some scheduled weekend to catch up. We can jump on Zoom, FaceTime or Skype and make it happen anytime. And most years if someone didn’t make it to the family holiday party we’d just accept that we couldn’t see them that year. Not anymore! Loved ones are really just the touch of a button away.

Another way to cover the distance is with tidings and shared experiences. If ever there was a year to make the effort at sending holiday cards or writing a heartfelt holiday letter, this is the year! Sure you may not feel like you have much to share, since many of us didn’t get out much this year, but friends and family will love knowing they’re thought of and having your sentiments arrive on their doorstep. This is especially important for family members at facilities and who cannot receive visitors. One newspaper in Illinois proposed the idea of a “Greeting Card Shower.” They suggested: “Mail a card every day or every other day leading up to the holidays. Mail is a highlight for many adults who are unable to see family in person.” We say, get the whole family in on it!

And just because some of us can’t sit down together at the same holiday table, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a shared experience. Maybe the kids from different households make holiday place mats and mail them to each other. Or maybe every household in a big family makes a specific time-honored family recipe then shares how it went over an after-dinner Zoom. Get creative! 

Holding on to traditions old & new

When life gets crazy it’s easy to start second-guessing plans and beloved traditions. It can seem easier to just skip things altogether. Sometimes that’s for the best. But other times, like this year, we need to stick to our plans and traditions all the more. 

What are the holiday traditions you and your family hold dear? Trimming the tree, decorating cookies, lighting candles, storytelling, setting off fireworks, cooking favorite foods, listening to music? Whatever they are, this year, hold them even closer...and add to them! Go for drives in nature or through neighborhoods known for their decorations. Have a holiday movie marathon, start a family puzzle, make a wreath, try a new holiday recipe, anything that sounds joyful and interesting. And remember to take advantage of all the online concerts and virtual events being put on for the holiday season. 

Whatever your family’s traditions, dust them all off this year and let them fill your home and days with cheer and hope. And then make some new traditions while you’re at it. Yes, things are different and there have been definite challenges, but that doesn’t mean the holidays are any less magical. In fact, it might even be more magical this year.

Embracing your local community

Our community is always a big part of the holidays. From the decorations that go up around town to season’s greetings exchanged between neighbors, our hearts seem to expand and we fall in love with the world and each other.

There are lots of ways to embrace your community and include it in your individual holiday celebrations. On a purely practical level, for those who exchange gifts or are hosting gatherings, look to your local shops and markets for all your needs. Make it a point to buy every gift from a local artist or boutique, many of whom rely on the holiday gift giving season to make ends meet! And skip the family potluck or hours of cooking for your big lunch or dinner. Instead have it catered by a favorite or up-and-coming restaurant. You’ll feel more relaxed, your guests will love the treat, and the restaurant will appreciate your business.

Another important part of the holidays and integral to our communities is the act of charity through donations and volunteering. These are great options for folks who don’t want to give things but still want to give something. Many organizations accept donations in honor of loved ones. But most importantly, do it because it’s a gift to yourself as well. Giving time, money or much needed objects to those who may not be as fortunate and to causes that make the world a better place puts holiday cheer in your heart like nothing else. It’s really the true meaning of all holidays: love for one’s fellow men, women, and creatures.

Finally, don’t forget your local photographers! They’re part of your community as well and the perfect partners in capturing all your holiday memories. Book one of our professional photographers then let your holiday season shine!